Contact was founded in 1972 by Barry Sheppard (General Manager of what was then Manchester University Theatre) and Hugh Hunt (Professor of Drama), as Manchester Young People's Theatre as part of the University of Manchester.[3]
In 1999, following a £5 million investment from Arts Council England, Contact was redesigned and opened as an arts venue for young people.[3] It is funded by Arts Council England, the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, Manchester City Council, and the University of Manchester, but it is independently managed.
Apart from traditional theatre, it features dance, music, poetry, spoken word, hip-hop and art. Its program includes touring work along with in-house productions, which are developed through partnerships featuring young artists.[4]
Contact is a registered charity.
Programs
In 2002, Contact began hosting a series named Contacting The World. This is a biannual international project allows young people from around the world to create new theatre projects, and culminates in a Festival Week in July.[citation needed]
Contacting The World has featured companies from Malaysia, Trinidad, Nigeria, Rwanda, Palestine, Brazil, Poland, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Jordan, Bangladesh, Syria, Iran, South Africa, New Zealand, The Philippines, Nepal, Zambia, Germany, Turkey, the UK and USA.[citation needed]
Contact's distinctive building was designed by architect Alan Short and Associates as part of the venue's 1999 redesign.[3] Arts Council England contributed £4.5 million toward the building, with matched funding from English Partnerships and land donated by the University of Manchester. In 2022, the theatre was renovated by Sheppard Robson, to improve energy efficiency and update the grounds while preserving the original design.[5]
It is located on Devas Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, near the university's School of Education and Department of Drama. The main 320-seat auditorium (Space 1) was refitted and an 80-seat studio (Space 2) was added in the newly built turret.
